Cleaning composition and method of cleaning



United States Patent Ofi ice straits Patented Nov. 12, 1963 of Louisiana No Drawing. Filed May 25, 1960, Ser. No. 31,516 3 Claims. (Cl. 252--99) This invention relates to novel cleaning compositions for cleaning such surfaces as roofs, swimming pools, bricks, carport floors, woodwork, awnings and sidewalks. The invention also relates to novel methods for cleaning such surfaces.

There are literally hundreds of cleaning compositions presently available for general cleaning purposes and for specific cleaning applications. The contents of such prior art cleaning compositions include soaps, alkalis, hypochlorite bleaches, water softeners, organic oils, and surface active agents as well as the many synthetic detergents and natural water conditioners. Exemplary of those compositions heretofore known are the cleaning and bleaching materials described in US. Patents Nos. 1,449,- 281; 1,960,500; 2,046,382; 2,097,517; and 2,105,839. Euch compositions have met with varying degrees of success under certain conditions and in many cases on particular substrates being cleaned. We have found, however, that each and every one of the cleaning compositions disclosed by said patents, as well as many, many others, are completely unsuitable for cleaning particularly hard surfaces exposed to dust and dirt as well as recurrent applications of water; for example, roofing materials which are, of course, subjected to dust, both natural and arising from industrial activities as well as frequent railfalls.

It has been our experience that when dust settles on the surface exposed to climatic conditions such as, roofing tile, asbestos shingles, siding, swimming pools and swimming pool aprons, sidewalks, carports and even shower stalls, it provides favorable conditions for the growth of fungi of various types, which adhere tenaciously to the surface binding the dust and other dirt accumulations. Such dirt and dust accumulations, bound by fungi growth, are extremely difficult to remove and employing the heretofore known cleaning compositions require considerable scrubbing and considerable effort to remove. in addition, once removed, the surface is again receptive to dust accumulation and fungi growth resulting in the necessity for an additional cleaning cycle.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a novel cleaning composition which will easily and quickly clean surfaces exposed to dust accumulation and conditions which favor fungi growth.

Another object is to provide a novel cleaning composition which will remove stains, dirt and fungi from surfaces.

A further object is the provision of a cleaning composition for removing stains, dirt and fungi from surfaces exposed to outdoor conditions favoring fungi growth and dirt accumulation wherein after application of said cleaning composition and removal of the accumuiated dirt and fungi, the surface repels dust accumulation and fungi growth for extremely long periods of time.

A still further object is the provision of a method for applying the novel cleaning composition which is simple, effortless and efficient in removing dirt accumulations and fungi growth.

We had undertaken, in the past, an extensive study covering several years of various types and combinations of cleaning materials to test their effectiveness in removing dirt accumulations and fungi growth from such hard surfaces as roofing tile, asbestos shingles, sidewalks, swimming pools, swimming pool aprons, carport floors and shower stalls. During this study, we developed and tested many different combinations of compounds such as trisodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, (lodecylbenzene sulfonate, potassium monopersulfate, sodium metasilicate, soda ash, caustic soda, lye, sodium tetrachlorate, sodium laurate, Lysol, pine oil, sodium hypochlorite, sodium silicate, sodium carbonate, Clorox, calcium hypochlorite and many others. Exemplary of the combinations tested are; sodium hypochlorite, trisodium phosphate and caustic soda; potassium monopersulfate, lye, and sodium hypochlorite; lye, caustic soda and pine oil; sodium silicate and calcium hypochlorite; and soda ash, caustic soda and dodecylbenzene sulfonate. Many different combinations of all types of soaps and detergents and many different combinations of all types of bleaching materials and combinations were tested. None of these combinations provided satisfactory results in readily and efficiently removing dirt accumulation and fungi growth.

During our studies, as noted above, we developed a combination of three compounds which provided extremely efiicient cleaning activity and surprisingly provided to the cleaned surface a resistance or repellency to dirt accumulation and fungi growth which lasts for long periods of time amounting to several years. In accordance with our invention, we mix sodium tetraborate, calcium hypochlorite and trisodium phosphate together in a dry mixture. The proportions of each of these ingredients are not narrowly critical and are as follows; sodium tetraborate 10' to 30 weight percent, calcium hypochlorite 50 to 70 weight percent, trisodium phosphate 10' to 30 weight percent. Other ingredients, of course, can be added to provide special effects, for example, if desired, the well known detergent perfumes can be added to provide an attractive odor. Our invention also contemplates aqueous solutions of the above composition which can be em ployed directly on the surfaces to be cleaned and thus water need not be added.

In general, our novel cleaning composition can be employed as a dry mixture or an aqueous solution. in cleaning roofs, carport floors, and sidewalks, it is advantageous to employ the dry mixture by sprinkling it evenly and thoroughly over the wetted surface followed by wetting lightly with water and allowing to stand for a period of time, for example, twenty minutes. After this period of time, the surface is flushed with water. Any spots of accumulated dust or fungi remaining can be removed by a repetition of this process or by lightly scrubbing the spot with a brush using our cleaning composition.

it is also advantageous in cleaning woodwork, showers, bricks, swimming pools and the like, to wet the surface, mix the dry mixture with water, brush it on the surface to be cleaned and allow it to stand a period of time, for example, ten minutes. After this period of time, the surface can be rubbed lightly with a brush or a rag, followed by flushing with water. Although this method is advantageous and conservative of the cleaning composition, the dry application can also be employed. In diluting the dry mixture with water, concentrations in the range of 10 to 30 weight percent of the dry cleaning mixture based on the weight of solution are advantageous although not necessarily critical. Of course, the stronger the solution, the quicker the cleaning action. Although we do not know the exact chemical mechanism involved in the cleaning action which is unexpectedly characteristic of our novel compositions, we believe that the sodium tetraborate, trisodium phosphate and calcium hypochlorite combined, all three together or any two together, in some unknown manner to form a sticky substance that remains on and in the pores of the surface to prevent the subsequent accumulation of dust and binding action of fungi formation. As noted above, some synergistic effects are realized in that the particular combination described and claimed herein not only eihciently cleans the surface but also provides a lasting efiect which repels dirt accumulation and fungi growth.

Specific examples of our cleaning composition which quickly and easily clean surfaces and provide dirt resistance and fungi repellency are as follows:

A mixture containing sodium tetraborate 26 weight percent, calcium hypochlorite 60 weight percent and trisodium phosphate 20 weight percent, was sprinkled evenly and thoroughly on an extremely dirty stained tile roof which had been previously wetted down. The roof was again lightly wetted with water and allowed to stand for twenty minutes, After this period of time, the roof was completely and thoroughly flushed with water. No spots of fungi or stains or dirt remained.

A mixture of sodium tetraborate 20 weight percent, calcium hypochlorite 6-0 weight percent and trisodium phosphate 20 weight percent was mixed with Water in the weight ratio of 29 parts by weight of the mixture to 80 parts by weight of water to provide a 28 weight percent solution. The solution was brushed onto a previously wetted swimming pool which was badly stained with dirt and fungus accumulation and allowed to stand for ten minutes. After this period of time, the swimming pool was rubbed lightly with a crush and rags and then flushed thoroughly. All of the dirt, fungus and algae was completely removed by this operation. We have also found that soda ash can be employed in place of sodium tetraborate in the same range of amounts to provide similar results. Although cleaners containing soda ash are slower acting and less effective than those using sodium tetraborate, they are considerably faster acting and more effective than compositions containing other Water conditioners.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific compounds, compositions or procedural steps heretofore set out, but that it extends to all equivalents within the scope of the claims appended rereto.

We claim:

1. A cleaning composition for hard surfaces consisting essentially of 10 to 39 weight percent of sodium tetraborate, to weight percent of calcium hypochlorite 10 to 36 weight percent of trisodium phosphate.

2. An aqueous cleaning solution for hard surfaces consisting essentially of water, and from 10 to 30 weight percent of said solution of a mixture consisting of 10 to 30 Weight percent of sodium tetraborate, 50 to 70 weight percent of calcium hypochlorite and 10- to 30 weight percent of trisodium phosphate.

3. The method of cleaning a hard surface which is stained by dirt accumulation and fungus growth comprising the steps of wetting said surface with water, sprinkling on said wetted surface a mixture consisting of 10 to 30 weight percent of sodium tetraborate, 10 to 30 weight percent of trisodium phosphate and 50 to 7-1) Weight percent of calcium hypochlorite, a lowing said mixture to remain in contact with said surface until said accumulated dirt and fungus growth have been loosened and thereafter flushing said surface to remove the loosened accumulated dirt and fungus growth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A CLEANING COMPOSITION FOR HARD SURFACES CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF 10 TO 30 WEIGHT PERCENT OF SODIUM TETRABORATE, 50 TO 70 WEIGHT PERCENT OF CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE AND 10 TO 30 WEIGHT PERCENT OF TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE. 